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The Federal Government has approved the planned RUGA settlements across the country in spite of criticisms it garnered.
The RUGA settlement scheme will take off its pilot phase in Taraba,
Adamawa, Plateau, Kaduna, Sokoto, Nasarawa, Kogi, Katsina, Kebbi,
Zamfara and Niger states.
According to a source at the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and
Rural Development, everything is set for the implementation of the
scheme.
“The pilot states for its implementation are Sokoto, Adamawa,
Nasarawa, Kaduna, Kogi, Taraba, Katsina, Plateau, Kebbi, Zamfara and
Niger,” the source told Punch.
“They are actually 11 in number and the governors of these
states are coming to the ministry to learn how the Ruga settlements will
be implemented,” a senior official at the FMARD, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said.
It added that “These are the states that have fully shown their
interest. But unfortunately, people are talking about this as if the
Federal Government is planning to grab land in the states.
“That’s not true. The plan is mainly for these states that are
ready and the Federal Government had a discussion with the governors
concerned.
“Some of the governors came here and they promised to provide
land because they have seen the benefits they will derive from the
initiative. It is not that the Federal Government wants to invade the
states, no!”
On whether the government will go ahead with the move despite public outcry, the source asked,
“Why not? Of course, the government will go ahead with the programme,
particularly in states that are willing to have it. For states that are
not interested, no problem.”